Holga Medium Format Camera Knowledge Base

Photography Resources

Holga Cameras

The Holga is an inexpensive, medium format 120 film toy camera, made in China, appreciated for its low-fidelity aesthetic.

The Holga's cheap construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions. The camera's quality problems have become a virtue among some photographers, with Holga photos winning awards and competitions in art and news photography.

History

The Holga camera was designed by T. M. Lee, and first appeared in 1982 in Hong Kong. At the time, 120 rollfilm in black-and-white was the most widely available film in mainland China. The Holga was intended to provide an inexpensive mass-market camera for working-class Chinese in order to record family portraits and events. After the cameras began to be distributed in the West, some photographers took to using the Holga for its surrealistic, impressionistic scenes for landscape, still life, portrait, and especially, street photography. In this respect, the Holga became the successor to the Diana and other 'toy' cameras previously used in such work. A Holga photograph by David Burnett of former vice-president Al Gore during a campaign appearance earned a top prize in a 2001 White House News Photographers' Association Eyes of History award ceremony.

Lens

Most Holga cameras use a single-piece plastic meniscus lens with a focal length of 60 millimeters and can focus from about 1 meter/yard to infinity. There is an aperture switch on the camera with two settings: sunny and cloudy. Due to a manufacturing oversight in early production cameras, this switch had no effect, giving the Holga only one true aperture of around f/13 — although these cameras are easily modified to provide two usable apertures. both this restriction and the 6×4.5 film mask as well, finding the resultant vignetting a desirable effect. Later Holgas were shipped without this film size restriction but still with the single aperture (Holgas can even be modified to use 35mm film.).

Modifications and variants

Holga cameras are often modified:

A Holga's interior can be "flocked"—coated with matte black paint—in order to limit the effect of light bouncing off the plastic interior from light leaks.
The Holga's aperture switch can be modified to provide a large ('cloudy') or small ('sunny') aperture.
The lens, and sometimes the entire shutter assembly, can be replaced with a pinhole (the "Pinholga").
The plastic lens can be replaced with a glass version (the "Woca").
Newer models of the camera come with multiple optional frame inserts (4.5 × 6 cm and 6 × 6 cm). Shooting without an insert can lead to problems keeping the 120 size film flat against the film plane.

Holga cameras may be fitted with a Polaroid back, allowing use of Polaroid 80 series instant film, or with newer models, 100 series film (but the image is not centered). This modification, sometimes termed a "Holgaroid" or "Polga", renders the viewfinder unusable, but allows for instant Holga prints. By sandwiching a normal 35mm roll of film into the Holga's 120 spool, "sprocket hole" exposures may be taken that expose the entire surface of 135 film. Cameras such as the Hasselblad have been modified to make use of a Holga lens. Holga plastic lenses have also been adapted to the Canon EOS, the Nikon f-mount, Pentax, Sony, Olympus and Minolta. An f-mount, 'melted' plastic Holga lens has been used on a digital f-mount camera while the EOS Holga has been mounted to the latest Canon DSLRs. Adapted lenses are also commercially available.

Holga camera Glossary. Basically, you should be pretty much able to put any of these letters together and buy that specific camera (i.e, want a glass lense 120 holga with standard, no-color flash, then what I need, is a Holga 120GFN).
Term	Definition
S	Standard, as in the original Holga 120S
N	New/Normal, means the new standard, the 120S was replaced with the 120N
G	Glass, A glass version of the standard plastic Holga lens
F	Flash, this means the holga has a flash built in
W	Wide, for a wide panaoramic holga
CF	Color Flash, these letters will always be together, the color flash enables you to change the color on the flash that is built into the holga.
PC	Pinhole Camera, Anytime you see PC, it means the holga doesn’t have a lense, but a pinhole instead, along with a permanent ‘B’ bulb mode.
BC	Bent/Black Corners, The standard 135 camera lacks a lot of vignetting, so holga introduced the BC version to ‘bend the corners’ of your photo giving that much loved holga effect.
3D	Three Dimensional. Basically, a holga with 2 lenses.
TLR	Twin Lens Reflex, a holga with one lens for framing and one for taking the photo.
WOCA	A Holga 120S with a Japanese-supplied glass meniscus lens, since discontinued and replaced by the Holga 120GN, which recalled the lens nomenclature for menisca
120	Takes 120 Film
120SF	A standard Holga 120S, with built-in flash
120TLR	A Holga 120CFN with a twin-lens reflex (TLR) viewfinder in lieu of the standard viewfinder, with a relocated color flash
120GTLR	A Holga 120TLR with glass lens
135	Takes 35mm Film
110	Takes 110 Film

Holga Medium Format Roll Film Cameras

Holga 120S Medium Format – The original Holga. Fixed shutter speed, adjustable focus, plastic lens, ineffective adjustable f-stop switch, hot shoe, and 6x4.5 film mask. Although now out of production, the 'WOCA' is actually identical but with glass lens. Discontinued
Holga 120CFN Medium Format Viewfinder Fixed Focus Camera with Built-in Lens and Color Flash. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that make the Holga world famous, the Holga 120CFN takes Holga photography to the next level. It is a fun way to enter the world of medium format, and can yield very interesting results. Its fixed-focus 60mm f/8 lens is perfect for creating the pictures Holgas are known for; soft and dreamy, with a slightly wide perspective and a distinct vignetting at the corners of the image.
Holga 120GCFN – A Holga 120FN with a color flash and glass lens. That has to be the most letters you can get in a Holga name. Using the glossary above, you can see this puts everything but the kitchen sink into the 120N holga including the glass lens and the color flash.
Holga 120FN Medium Format Viewfinder Fixed Focus Camera with Built-in Lens and Flash. This version of the Holga includes a built-in flash, which allows you to add some light to images where needed for more creative control. You'll only need 2 'AA' batteries; the shutter is fully mechanical. A window on the back allows you to read the paper on the 120 film, so that you can have 12 6x6cm square images per roll or 16 6x4.5cm vertical images per roll.
Holga 120GN Medium Format – A Holga 120N with a glass lens - the standard non-flash 120 Holga with a glass lens. I’m a bit unsure of the ‘G’ series of Holgas, primariliy due to the fact that surely the plastic lens, and it’s associated ‘quirks’ is one of the main draws to a holga. Discontinued
Holga 120GFN Medium Format – A Holga 120FN with a glass lens - This version of the Holga includes a built-in flash, which allows you to add some light to images where needed for more creative control. You'll only need 2 'AA' batteries; the shutter is fully mechanical. Discontinued
Holga 120SF – A standard Holga 120S, with a flash - Lomography Holga Starter Kit - 120SF Medium Format Viewfinder Fixed Focus Camera w/ Lens & Flash. The Holga Starter Kit is a fun way to enter the world of medium format. For those people wishing to experiment and have fun with an inexpensive medium format camera, the Holga 120SF can yield some interesting results. Note! The 120SF differs from the original Holga 120S in that the 120SF with flash requires two "AA" type batteries and does not have a flash shoe
Holga 120 TLR and the Holga 120 GTLR Plastic Cameras Holga 120 TLR and Holga GTLR. Right on the tail of the Fly Blackbird, Holga made a decision to enter the TLR toy camera market and released two new TLR Holgas! Hanging in there with their no-frills naming convention, these cameras are fittingly named the 120 TLR and the 120 GTLR. Hailing from the Holga cult classic family of medium format plastic cameras, the Holga 120 twin lens reflex type camera aspire to hand over medium-format classic squares combined with the distinctive Holga approach to light leaking, vignetting, and and old--style-school feeling. May 2, 2011
Holga 144-120 Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens No Batteries Required. 120N – Updated version with the same plastic lens, tripod mount, bulb exposure mode, an easier-to-move film counter window switch, and an additional 6x6 film mask. Desired by art photographers the world over and is reminiscent of the Diana camera of the 1960s and 70s. The characteristic vignetting focuses the viewer's eye and adds to visual impact. The standard features from the Holga 120S still include: Hot shoe flash sync, uses 120 roll film for 16 - 6cm x 4.5cm frames per roll. It's perfect for classroom instruction, personal image-making and fine art photos.
Holga 173-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Casablanco). desired by art photographers the world over and is reminiscent of the Diana camera of the 1960s and 70s. The characteristic vignetting focuses the viewer's eye and adds to visual impact. The standard features from the Holga 120S still include: Hot shoe flash sync, uses 120 roll film for 16 - 6cm x 4.5cm frames per roll. It's perfect for classroom instruction, personal image-making and fine art photos.
Holga 174-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Jawz). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 176-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Yellow Brick Road). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 178-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Pretty in Pink) Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 180-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Oscar). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 183-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Violet). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 184-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Twilight Zone) No Batteries Required. Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 185-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Sunset Boulevard). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 186-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Blooze Brothers). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 188-120 Holgawood Medium Format 120N Camera with Built-in Lens (Commando). Holgas are now available in a Hollywood series. Each camera comes in a different color and represents a moment in Hollywood time. Along with the camera comes a story reflecting the movie theme of that particular camera. Still retaining all of those fabulous and unique features that made the Holga 120S world famous, this updated model, the Holga 120N, takes Holga photography to the next level.
Holga 193-120 120 Wide Angle Pinhole Camera. shoots 6x9 or 6x12. Desired by art photographers the world over, the Holga Pinhole is reminiscent of the Diana camera of the 1960s and 70s. The characteristic pinhole vignetting focuses the viewer's eye and adds to visual impact. This camera uses 120 roll film for 16 6x4.5cm frames per roll, and comes with masks for both 6 x 7cm and 6 x 9cm images. It is the perfect pinhole camera for classroom instructions, personal image-making, and fine art photos.
Holga 120PC Wide Angle Pin Hole 120mm Film Medium Format Camera. The Holga 120 PC Pinhole Camera is tons of fun. This lens-less camera has a tiny pinhole in the front and is operated by pressing the shutter release, holding it open for however long you choose and making long exposures. No focus decisions at all! Make long exposures at night (several hours) or short ones (1 second) but you must make the decision about how long to keep the lens open. Mount the camera on a tripod and shoot!
Description The Holga 3D Stereo camera is based on the Holga 120PC-3D (Pinhole) body design and takes Holga photography to an all new level of 3D Pinhole Photography. The Holga pinhole 120PC-3D lens less body produces infinite depth of field, meaning that under most conditions, everything is reasonably sharp and detailed. And you can make super-wide and stereo pinhole images that go far beyond anything shot with a standard camera. Since pinhole is literally the starting point for all photography that followed, the Holga Pinhole is a great tool for stripping photography down to its absolute basics. A tripod and cable release are highly recommended when using the Holga Pinhole, as exposure times will be much longer than those used in "regular" photography.
Holga Accessories
Holga 35mm Film Adaptor Kit for Holga 120 Medium Format Cameras This 35mm Film Adaptor Kit allows for the use of 35mm film in any Holga 120 medium format camera. Supplied with easy to follow instructions that will get you started quickly. This kit includes a plastic insert that replaces your existing battery cover/120 insert with one that guides 35mm film through the camera with a solid back without red window. Please Note: To remove 35mm film from your Holga camera after it has been exposed you must use a changing bag or go in to a light tight darkroom! You cannot take out the film from the camera in a regularly lit room.
Holga Polaroid Instant Film Back. HOLGAROID IS BACK! This newest version accommodates both T80 series and 669/690 series Polaroid films! Turn your Holga into the most unique instant camera you've ever seen with the new Instant Film Back! It's custom-built to fit both all Holga and Woca cameras, installing easily onto each of them within seconds. It comes with a Polaroid type film back, a mask to hold batteries in place in a Holga 120FN or 120 CFN camera, built-in tripod socket a .3x diopter which adjusts the Holga's film plane to accommodate the Polaroid back and newly designed plastic viewfinder (included). This film back will accommodate Polaroid T-80 series films as well as 690/669 size films. Please Note: T-80 series films result in a full frame image. 690/669 type films images are slightly off center.
Holga Slip On Filter Adapter. Finally! An easy way to use filters with your Holga. This adapter slips easily over the lens of your Holga or Woca camera and stays firmly in place. No glue, hooks or tape needed. Specially designed filters slide easily into place. Expand your Holga universe and spur your creativity with this incredible adapter. (Filters sold separately.)
Holga 12" Shutter Release Set. This Holga Shutter Release Set comes with shutter release adapter and premium 12" shutter release cable with auto lock/unlock mechanism. A custom adapter fits snugly over the lens of your Holga camera allowing you to use a cable release. Will not interfere with the new features of the Holga 12 0N, FN or CFN including tripod mount and Bulb setting switch. A real must have for every Holga camera!
Holga Manual Shoe Mount Flash with a GN of 22 meters (72 feet) This all-manual compact light-weight flash features a a hot shoe with a locking ring and a constant guide number of 22 meters (72 feet). It is designed for the Holga 120S camera, but may also be used with other manual cameras.
Holga Four Color Filter Set for Color or Black & White Film. Includes: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green Filters The colored filter set includes red, yellow, blue, and green filters and can be used to create bold, vibrant images or adjust the tonality of black and white photographs. In true Holga fashion, there is no contrast or color-correction numbers on the filters. Must be used with Holga Lens/Filter Holder Item #147120, sold separately.
Holga Split Image Filter Set. Includes: 1 - four-facet lens with center-focus, 1 - three-facet vertical lens, 1 - three facet pyramid lens. See the world in new ways with this three-lens set designed especially for the Holga camera and the Holga Lens & Filter Holder. Each lens in this set will surprise and please any photographer as it splits, repeats and blends in totally unique ways. Set includes 1 - four-facet lens with center-focus, 1 - three-facet vertical lens and 1 - three facet pyramid lens. Must be used with Holga lens/filter holder Item #147-120. sold separately.
Holga Plastic Auxiliary Fish Eye Lens for Holga 120 Cameras. Holga Plastic Fisheye Lens.... This lens makes your extreme wide angle images looks even more Holga-like with extreme wide-angle distortion effects for a very reasonable price. Make sure that subject is not more than 2 meters away when using electronic flash. For use on Holga 120 cameras only. Not for use with Holga and Holgaroid Polaroid Film Back.
Holga .5x Wide Angle Adapter Lens for Holga 135 & 120 cameras. The Holga Wide Angle Lens (approximately .5x) yields a wider field of view than the standard Holga lens, allowing you to get more subject in your photo! Easily fits over the existing lens on all standard Holga 35mm and 120 cameras. Includes front and rear lens caps and carry bag. (Holga camera shown for illustration purposes only. Not included with purchase of Wide Angle Adapter lens.)
Holga K202 – Meow Kitty camera in the shape of a cat face with blinking lights. The Holga K202 Cat Camera emits a meowing sound that aims to attract the attention of the younger ones, causing them to stay rooted. I guess using this 35mm film camera will probably end up with plenty of shots where kids stare at you looking puzzled, wondering where the sound came from. It is available on eBay for $29.99.